My teacher's wedding

Yes. I attended my teacher's wedding. He is 46. His wife is even younger than me. Ooops. Despite a big age gap, they look very loving and I wish them a blissful marriage.

He was my form teacher in secondary 2, and then my A Maths and Physics teacher. A very stern teacher whom a lot of students fear. Instead of fearing him, I do like him. He was one of the teachers I admired a lot while I was in school. I don't know if you call it a crush, maybe an infatuation, LOL! I used to write my teachers cards every Teachers' Day and festive season but not anymore.

Anyway I feel really honoured to be invited to his wedding, I even wrote him a card and picked up a dress especially for this event :) A few of us from my class (PRSS 1997 batch) attended, we still try to meet every year or two during a class gathering just to have a catch up. My heartiest congratulations, Mr Seong.

Bears' Wedding in London (4)

Day 6 & 7.

These 2 days were entirely reserved for my bestie so I could help her do up her wedding props and other preparation. We checked into the hotel a day before the big day, but there were still things not done. Poor Angela was so worried. But I assured her everything would be okay and we would work through the night to get them all ready. Her cousin, Joy and brother were a big help!

The night before the wedding, we also had a pre-wedding dinner at a Spanish restaurant. All of us forked out a small amount of money and the rest was taken care of by the bride & groom's families. We had suckling pig, sangria and really fantastic tapas! It was a fun evening, also I got to meet Alex (Laura's son), this cutie got stuck to me most of that evening. He was so adorable everyone was dying to get a piece of him.

That night, we really worked through the night (with a few hours of sleep!!!) with the company of Paul's cakes!

The next morning, Angela, Joy and me had breakfast at a nearby restaurant and ran through the checklist for the wedding. We had to set up at the venue, basically to lay out her photo albums, photo frames, her wedding favours, the decors on every dining table, do up the table she was going to sign her wedding certificate (I was the witness!!) and get all the beautiful ribbons to be tied to the chairs. They also engaged a photo booth which the guests would be able to take home with them a memorable shot or two for that evening. The dinner was buffet style but the wedding party and family table would get served instead! The cupcakes Angela catered were super addictive, also that candy bar she set up was a magnet for kids (and big kids!).

Both Joy and I had to give a speech, but we didn't get to rehearse at all. LOL. But I was glad it somehow flowed smoothly and I didn't cry this time! I think Angela almost did! The wedding was lovely, very romantic and almost perfect. The only bad thing was I didn't get to take as many photos of them as I would love to as I was the maid of honour and was running around all the time! We danced and drank a lot that night and smuggled a lot of candies back too!

I gifted them a self-compiled photobook depicting the story of FAB4 and of the recent memories we had together, and was so proud when they displayed it together with their wedding album.

Not forgetting we took lots of silly photos at the booth, I can't wait to see their whole compilation when I visit them next.

May you both live happily ever after, Mr & Mrs Green!

Man & wife

My good friend, Yusman's wedding (which is today!) is one of my must-go-to wedding list of year 2014. I am very glad for him that his effort and persistence paid off, he married a beautiful Chinese girl whose parents were initially against the relationship! Way to go MAN! I can't wait to see a cute mixed baby in the coming future!

And a candid shot to go along with this post ;)

The American Wedding (2)

The following morning, we had so much to do for the big day. To do up the venue, get ourselves all dolled up and then run errands for our beautiful bride-to-be. As Joy was busy getting herself transformed by her make-up artist, the rest of us took care of the rest. Angela, Jasmine and me were decorating the place while Syndy made sure everything else was in order. 

Joy was stunning that day and she wore that pearl necklace I got her :) I could felt her nervousness as the time drew nearer... and she was almost in tears when her parents put the veil over her! It was a very special moment and we were all there to accompany her and share her joy. The flower girl, Emma, is Aaron's niece. Joy seems to like her very much and I thought her presence somehow helped lessen her tension :)

Then the boys arrived!!! We helped Joy down the stairs holding her bouquet and train of her gown. Oh boy, I almost felt like tearing. Then we did exactly what we rehearsed. But this time, it was real and when we walked up and stood there watching the couple approaching. We couldn't help crying!!!

They then exchanged their vows in front of their friends and family. After that, the guests went for cocktail while we stayed back for a couple of photos (till now I haven't got to see those pictures yet!). Then while the couple went for photo shoot at the beach, the best men and bridesmaid retreated into the room for some crazy ideas on how we would make an entrance into the dinner. OMG. I was super nervous as that meant we had to dance. I could recall dancing in Scotland D&D but that was different, I knew almost no one and I had so much drinks. LOL. This time, I had to do it while I was sober. As we were cracking our heads, we were also shivering, not with fear but the room was cold! The best men immediately took down their jackets for us, it was so touching! Gentlemen, I call them!

We really did make a memorable entrance to the dinner, the crowd was so spontaneous and began cheering and clapping and somehow that took my embarrassment away!! I was just glad I didn't fall! LOL. Then the couple came in, danced, before the best man and maid of honour gave their speeches. Aaron's brother gave a very funny speech and we almost worried for Angela. But she did really well!!! I was so glad my tips for her worked... after being the maid of honour for Syndy! LOL. And next year, it's my turn to make one for Angela!! The dinner was fabulous and everyone were enjoying themselves, even Joy's parents whom couldn't understand much English were having fun (dear Syndy was their translator). A lot of crazy dancing happened... and I really couldn't describe it ;)

The couple also catered the lovely baby cupcakes as our desserts along with their small wedding cake. Then they made their thank you speeches after the cake-cutting. Of course, our names (FAB 4) were being mentioned and especially those who flew in for the wedding. Joy made a chinese speech dedicated to her parents, she was already swelling in tears. So I volunteered to translate for the guests (I don't know where I got the courage, but I guess I just am not shy anymore, LOL). I blamed it on the wine.

The wedding props were mostly handmade by Joy and they were lovely. Even the "A&J" sign on our table was a clever idea of recycling vintage books. It was a very well thought-out wedding, I hope I can make mine a beautiful one like hers in future!

The night ended with us sending the guests off with lovely wedding favours brought from Singapore by Joy. Packs of childhood sugared biscuits with honey sticks. We packed things up for the newly-wed and then friends of Joy sent us back to our hotel. I think Kat and Don sent us back but we alighted across the street and bumped into a crazy man asking for money!!! We escaped fortunately.

The American Wedding (1)

I was the first of the four to arrive in LA! The others took the train, so they would be a bit later. I got myself checked in without any problem (no issue with the booking under Adam's name, hehe). Thanks La Quinta, their customer service was excellent. The room was cute, cosy and I wish I was staying longer!! We were only booked for a night as the rest we would be staying next door at Holiday Inn due to the cheap rates Adam booked for us. Holiday Inn service was just horrible and unfriendly most of the time! They made us waited so long to get checked in. It felt good to be reunited, Angela and Dan made our time together more entertaining.

The following morning after all the hassle getting checked in, we took the shuttle bus provided by the hotel to Manhatten beach. All thanks to La Quinta again, we found out the bus schedule (No thank you, Holiday Inn!). We missed the first one but managed to get to Uncle Bill's Pancake House without any queue!! We were starving by then and the food really made our hungry tummies happy! The glorious pancakes and eggs... plus that lemonade, I think I could have them everyday! So good!

After that, we took a stroll down Manhatten beach, drooling at the surfers... enjoying a visit to the pier aquarium. It was all very relaxing. Manhatten beach is lined up with some of the most beautiful houses I ever seen, so posh and I wish one day I can have something like that. Or at least just a house by the beach! Then we took the shuttle further to the village with plenty of malls. It was pretty late by then so we checked out the nearby stores, it was at the electronics store where I got tempted to buy a Samsung Tab!

Then we went to Whole Food Market to get some dinner. There were plenty of choices, from hot soup, sushi to pastries and cakes. The first thing I really wanted to get was a fruit tart (one of my favourite things)! LOL. Everything else didn't matter and so I settled for the soup. Everything wasn't cheap but they did really taste fabulous at least! Then we retired back to our hotel room, it was an easy day.

The next day, we decided to try out Denny's which was a short distance from our hotel. Everything at Denny's looked so good and sinful. Two of us shared a set each as it seemed huge, and fortunately we did. It was good but a little too salty for my liking :) After the sumptuous breakfast, it was time to head to Santa Monica on a BUS! Yes, public transport as the one whom could drive was obviously out of practice. It was my first time taking public transport in LA and I witnessed lots of weird people in the bus. People who sang to themselves, beggars, hippies... We were told public transportation are mainly for the poor people!

Anyhow, after about an hour on the bus, we finally got to Santa Monica. Four of us headed to the Santa Monica Pier for a little stroll. There was a small amusement park for kids, but this place felt more like somewhere done up to sell souvenirs, just very pretty but nothing really special. I prefer the Manhatten beach somehow. After that, we had to head off to meet the wedding couple whom would pick us up for the wedding rehearsal and dinner (I can't recall where we were supposed to meet, LOL!!). But I knew we got lost somehow and took a taxi there in the end!

After a few rounds of rehearsal and looking around the venue, it finally dawned on all of us it was going to happen. It was so exciting, and we were going to have a girls' night all to ourselves that night at Joy's apartment. The boys would sort themselves out :P The rehearsal dinner which was on Aaron's mum was held at Baby Blues BBQ, they had the best ribs ever. I swore I ate so much, the ribs, wings, mac and cheese, GOSH, everything was delicious - Look at my plate (right). I didn't care about putting on calories that evening, seriously! LOL. They must be really surprised how much I could eat ;) At the dinner, Aaron's mum gave a touching speech and there were tears!!! We were introduced to each other at the dinner and dear Joy gave the bridesmaid a little gift for being there for her wedding (I was one of them) :)

I don't know how we all managed it, after the dinner, we still had ice-cream at Sweet Rose!!! Just because Joy said they have the best one ever, so we were all going to stuff it in! :) My rose geranium with salty pistachio was perfect, just what I would need to end that beautiful day. After that, Joy drove us back, we tried out our bridesmaid dresses and had our usual girly gossip! It was one precious night as we were all living faraway from each other. I was trying to play with Mocha but this anti-social kitty didn't want to entertain us except when you swung her favourite toy in front of her face. I didn't know if the bride-to-be got any sleep that night but I surely did!

I hear the bells

The first good news of the year... one of my close friends got engaged!!! Even though it is no surprise as I already see it coming but still it's the first attainment of 2013! Congrats my dear pea!

So it means another overseas wedding!!! Okay, it's the 3rd one I will be going. It has recently become a norm that my friends are all marrying abroad. My second time being maid of honour (the 3rd being a bridesmaid), I guess maid of honour being the head of all the bridesmaid has more responsibilities. So I need to do another speech!! Not that I don't enjoy it, but it's often such an emotional task for me! I shall make it the final time being a bridesmaid for anyone else ;)

Joy'ous occasion

I am recalling some of my past entries, especially this one. It's funny to read it now as I really did cry when giving the speech and some of my friends were also touched to tears. And also that 2 of the 3 weddings were held overseas but I didn't make it to the Bali one.

... Why bring this up again?

Because I got news that one of my close friends is recently engaged... The wedding is going to be in HAWAII next year!! Crazy (in a good way)!!! She will have one later in Singapore too but there's an earlier one in Hawaii and since we are a close bunch, we will all try to attend the Hawaii one too! After the inital shock, I am really feeling happy for her. She will be back in Singapore soon after a few years in USA, but I guess getting married to an American will mean she will be living there in future. Fab 4's destiny is destinated to be all over the world...

Time to start saving up for a vacation in Hawaii!

Congrats Syn & John

I almost forgot I should write my congratulations to the newly weds,  Syn & John.

Syn is a close friend I met in school and we are friends for over 12 years, geez... Time changes people. I don't think she was the person I met years ago, but still she is as crazy as she was when she wants to be. I think over the years, her motherly instincts surfaced, that also probably due to her being the eldest in family. She's always overly concerned and protective of us, especially strict with the men we're dating... LOL. I guess it's a good thing when you want another perspective. She's always good fun to hang out with, party, have drinks and food. One thing I hope she will change is probably scream lesser hahaha, I was talking to her friends before the wedding and we realised the thing prominent about Syndy is her screams. When she left Dubai, her flatmates actually missed her screamings!

John is an ex-colleague of mine I met maybe 9 years ago. Somehow somewhat, destiny brought them together through me, and after so much drama, long-distance and on-off relationship. John is one of the most serious guys I met when at work, very diligent and proper. But when you get to know him, you'd realise he's pretty funny, spontaneous, up for a good laugh and a thrifty man who is good I guess when it comes to saving for a family ;)

Finally on 15 January 2011, they held a wedding ceremony by the beach at Shangri la Rasa Ria in Sabah, followed by a buffet dinner and performances. As the maid of honour, I also had to give a speech which I didn't really script. I was thrilled, it was my first time, I wasn't very nervous but I think I was more emotional. My tears just fell when I stood on the stage, not stage fright but more overwhelmed by happiness that I had for my friend. But it was all good, things just fell into places smoothly without a need to read from a script which would be more stressful. I was quite proud of myself that evening :)

The best picture for the day is the one when Syn threw the bouquet, it's a superb shot! I had to admit I didn't want to go near it, LOL.

This is also my second visit to Kota Kinabalu, but I didn't do the tourist things as I did most of them 1.5 years back. I just chilled out in the city centre, preparing myself for the wedding, hanging out with friends, shopping... all good. I bumped into Syn's family one of the days and decided to show them around the local markets. I also found myself 2 wigs, they are so cheap in Malaysia - yea, I think I've gone "wig" crazy. I adore them, they make me look different without having to spend a fortune on my hair.

The 3 nights went by real fast! At the end of the trip, I found myself more new friends, had a good reunion with the girls, found good bargains and most of all, my friend is happily married to the man she loves whom she met through me!